Textortion

the act of using cell phone text messages to threaten harm on a person or property for individual gain and/or benefit.

based on a january 2011 criminal incident in franklin, tennessee where a man stole a cell phone, was offered a $100 reward “in-kind” for it’s return, but instead demanded a higher amount – effectively holding it for “ransom.”

local media (specifically wtvf news channel 5, nashville) billed him as the “textortionist.”
on january 14th, 2011, 26-year-old bradley vaughn was arrested in franklin, tennessee – charged with felony theft and resisting arrest.

his victim had accidentally left his cell phone among the merchandise of a local retail store. when he realized he was missing it, he returned to find it had been stolen. using a borrowed cell phone, he proceeded to text his own phone in an effort to retrieve it – offering a $100 reward for its return.

bradley vaughn allegedly returned the text, demanding $180 – effectively holding it for ransom. he instructed the victim to place the ransom amount underneath a gl-ss of ice at a local restaurant.

the victim informed local law enforcement prior to the ransom exchange. police set up a “sting” operation and, after a scuffle, arrested bradley vaughn – attempting to retrieve the bait ransom money left by the victim.

local media reported the incident, billing bradley vaughn as a “textortionist” (courtesy wtvf news channel 5, nashville)